Southern California -- this just in

Photos show 'person of interest' in Los Angeles fires

January 1, 2012 | 8:09
pm

The Los Angeles Police Department asked for the public's help Sunday in identifying a "person of interest" in the series of fires in the Hollywood area.

The still images taken from a video show an older white male with a receding hairline and shoulder-length ponytail. He is wearing a black jacket and black pants. His image was caught on a video that showed a car fire Saturday night inside the parking structure of the Hollywood & Highland Center on Hollywood Boulevard.

The LAPD asks residents to leave porch and carport lights on at night and make sure cars are locked. Authorities also ask residents to immediately report anything suspicious by calling 911. Officials said Sunday that they have connected at least 39 fires, the first of which started early Friday morning in Hollywood. Most of the fires have occurred in the Hollywood and West Hollywood areas. Early Saturday, nearly a dozen fires broke out in the northeast San Fernando Valley.